Review: TAP Air Portugal Economy Class
This page contains affiliate links. Clicking them is free but we may receive a small commission. Please check out our advertising policy to understand how the links have been chosen.
Table of Contents
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the flag carrier of Portugal. The airline was founded in 1945 and now it is a member of the biggest airline alliance in the world, Star Alliance. TAP Air Portugal (TP) also has codeshare agreements with about 30 other airlines. TAP Air Portugal flies domestic routes inside Portugal and international flights across Europe, America and Africa. With about 90 planes in the fleet, TAP is a medium-sized European airline with a respected brand.
TAP operates only Airbus fleet. Short-haul routes are operated with Airbus A320 series and longer flights with Airbus A330. TAP is a pure Airbus company.
TAP Express
TAP Air Portugal has also a regional airline called TAP Express. It operates only short and medium haul routes. The airline flies with ATR turboprops and Embraer turbofans.
Lisbon is the other hub of TAP Air Portugal and TAP Express.
TAP Cabin Classes
There is a business class in TAP's aircract. In this review, we concentrate only on the economy class.
Economy class tickets are divided to four price classes with different service levels. Economy class seats are also divided to two areas: the normal economy class seats and EconomyXtra seats.
EconomyXtra seats are coloured as red and they are located just behind the business class. These seats are more spacious, they have USB charging sockets and a reclining seat.
The normal economy class is behind the EconomyXtra. Seats there are coloured as green and they are missing the extra features that EconomyXtra seats have. Onboard meals are usually simpler than in EconomyXtra.
With the cheapest tickets, you will end up to a traditional economy class seat. With a more expensive ticket, an EconomyXtra seat may be yours. EconomyXtra seats are available only in Airbus A330 and Airbus A321neo planes. In other aircraft types, all economy seats are similar except that there are a few more spacious seats around the emergency exits.
Services in Economy Class
The cheapest economy class ticket does not include a hold luggage. Only a standard sized carry-on luggage with the maximum weight of 8kKg is allowed. A more expensive economy ticket includes 23 kg hold luggage. The same rules apply to domestic and international flights.
TAP still serves meals and drinks even in the economy class. On short routes, the meal means a simple snack. When the route gets longer, the snack may be hot or a cold meal. On EconomyXtra seats, the meal is better. The drink selection includes soft drinks, beer and wine.
Our Flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada
In February 2020, we flew from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada with TAP Air Portugal. We boarded a brand new Airbus A321neo. The cabin had a business class and an economy class. The economy class was divided into two sections: The red EconomyXtra area and the green area - economy class. We sat in the normal economy class while we were flying with discounted tickets.
After the take off from Lisbon, we headed right away to the Atlantic.
The whole cabin was almost empty. Only about 30% of the seats were taken. The flight departed on time and it also arrived to Ponta Delgada on schedule. The flight was eventless.
During our flight, the cabin was almost empty.
Rating
Check-in and boarding
The ground crew handled the boarding process fast. People were shared to four queues and those who had only a small bag were allowed to board first. The onboard crew were friendly and efficient.
Cabin
The cabin of Airbus A321neo looked very clean and stylish. The nice use of red and green colours on the seats made the cabin to look fresh. Legroom in the normal economy class is not big but it was enough for us.
TAP Air Portugal has decorated the cabins with green and red colours.
Onboard Services and Entertainment
We were offered soft drinks, tea and coffee and a small bag of chips. Also complimentary alcohol was available. Passengers in the EconomyXtra had a better serving. In the era of low-cost airlines, it is always nice to have complimentary onboard services.
TAP served chips, coke and tea free of charge.
Airbus A321neo didn't have onboard entertainment systems nor WiFi. Airbus A321LR and A330neo have them. TAP Portugal magazine was available.
Ticket Price
Our ticket was really affordable costing less than 50 euros per person. According to our investigation, the price level of TAP Air Portugal is competitive. Tickets also give value for the money.
Overall Rating
A short-haul flight in the economy class of TAP Air Portugal was a great experience. Our tickets were affordable but we got in to a brand new plane. It was stylishly decorated and the crew behaved professionally. Also complimentary drinks and snacks were served. We were pleased with the price-quality ratio on these flights and plan to fly TAP again in the future. In other words, we can recommend flying with this airline.
Bottom Line
TAP Air Portugal is a good choice if you are flying between Europe and South America or around the Southwest Europe. The company has many well-equipped new aircraft in the fleet. Especially the new neo fleet (A321neo and A330neo) can be recommended. They are really comfortable and the cabins look nice.
It is important to compare flight prices because they vary a lot. Find the best flight deals on Momondo.
Have you flown with TAP Air Portugal? Comment below how you felt it!
Read Also
If you found this information interesting or useful, please remember to SHARE the article with your family and friends!
For Your Next Journey
Relax by planning a trip...
Hopefully, we all can continue safe travelling soon. Now it is a great moment to start planning summer trips while airline tickets are still affordable. You can compare flight prices easily on Momondo.
Luxury hotels for a low rate...
Even premium hotel rooms are sometimes surprisingly inexpensive. We compare hotel prices on HotelsCombined which is a simple hotel comparison tool. By comparing prices, we have saved a lot.
Get familiar with activities
Whether you are travelling near or far, it is wise to plan some activities for your trip. On GetYourGuide, you will find affordable activities for the every day of your next journey. Attending well-organised tours is one of the best way to enjoy the holiday.
Readers' Comments (14)
-
It may have been a good company while things were good. But let's be real. They have shown their true colors during the pandemic. They took my money, changed my flight, and when I asked for a refund they promised one. 6 months later, they still haven't returned my money. They give a scripted answer and then ignore all other messages. I have now flagged them as scams and fraud on all my credit cards. Because that's what they did. They are breaking the law.
-
I was flighting from Newark to Lisbon on 12/16/20 on flight 204 I purchase a ticket on the internet on Kiwi.com they had the flight with Tap air lines from Newark to Lisbon when I purchase the tickets and then tells me the flight was from Newark to Dublin I realized then that it was crazy so I call Kiwi. com they told me to call TAP air because it was only allowed 2 bags I spoke with 5 different people from TAP and all told to get to the airport and pay for 2 extra suit cases when I got to the airport they make me pay 2 other new tickets otherwise the suit cases will go to Dublin ! Never again!
-
Never ever book with this airlines. We had a flight scheduled with Tap Portugal in October 1 2020. They changed our flight by 4 days which would not coincide with our travel planes. You cannot get a hold of them and they will not refund our money. EXPEDIA WHO we booked through tells us they can only email them and are not able to call them either. We are out $2400 for a trip they did not give us as booked. They have had our money since November of 2019. I am beyond upset. I want money back soon or I am going to contact an attorney. What kind of company does this to people. A terrible one that's what kind.i will never use Expedia or Tap air Portugal ever again. Too bad for them because I go to Europe very often. Their loss
-
Avoid booking with this company at all costs and if you have to make sure you take out a good travel insurance, we were not able to reach our departure airport due to covid lockdown, this company’s solution to this was to mark us as ‘no shows’ and tell us we were not entitled to any flight changes as a result ..... in the middle of a global pandemic surely ‘normal rules’ don’t apply and assistance can be offered. -
Why is TAP so unprofessional and acting like a rogue in not refunding my ticket despite time lapse of over 4 month? Highly disappointing and discouraging me and my circle of family and friends from flying with them the next time.
-
Hi Agha,
I'm sorry to here about your concern. If the airline ignores to reply you about anything then we strongly suggest to consult for help from the concerned authorities in your country. You as a paying customer definitely deserves to be have your money back for cancelled flights under legal conditions.
Customer experience is always a crucial part for any business entity. We still hope that TAP will attend to your concern very soon.
-
-
My daughter & son had their flight also cancelled by this airline. It's been 4 months and no refund has been issued. They've called various times after being on hold for over an hour the call was disconnected. Orbitz took the money quick and don't want to take up responsibility. This airline sucks. Don't fly with them.
-
This airline owes me a refunding for a flight that was canceled by them!!! I've been waiting 4 months!!! Never again will I book with TAP. THIEVES!
Hi Gloria,
We are very sorry to hear about this incidence. We understand well how this is so upsetting for you. We recommend you to contact your country's Consumer Advisory Services office to seek help. This is always our next step if concerned airline fails to cooperate in addressing our concerns. We wish you that you have it resolved.